RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 03-00454
		INDEX CODE:  110.00
	APPLICANT	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the Armed Forces, be amended to reflect his entitlement to all awards, ranks and schools.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

When he was separating at Travis AFB he asked about his DD Form 214 and was asked if he wanted to go home or not.  In 1992, his trip to the Vietnam Wall helped him get on the right track and he is now looking for his awards.  

In support of his appeal, applicant submits a personal statement; a copy of his two Extension Course Institute completion certificates; a copy of his Qualification Score Card; a copy of correspondence between him and AFPC/DPPPRA. 

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force in the grade of airman basic (E-1) on 22 August 1961.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-4) effective 1 June 1964. Records reflect overseas service in Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Okinawa and Vietnam. 

On 17 April 1963, nonjudicial punishment was offered to the applicant under Article 15, UCMJ for insubordination and disrespect to a Non-commissioned Officer.  On 18 April 1963, the applicant acknowledged receipt and elected not to appeal the punishment.  The applicant was restricted to the limits of --- AFB, -- for a period of 30 days and ordered to forfeit $42.00 of his pay per month for a period of two months.  

On 2 March 1965, he was honorably released from active duty, having served 3 years and 6 months and 11 days on active duty of which 11 months, and 22 days was foreign service.  After having been released from active duty, he was transferred to the Air Force Reserve for completion of his military service obligation, which occurred on 21 August 1967.  

On 18 April 2003, during a records review, Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center identified an error in Item 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendation, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, and issued the applicant a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, reflecting the award of the Vietnam Service Medal w/ One Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Additionally, the applicant was advised that his eligibility for the Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation and the Combat Readiness Medal, could not be verified without further documentation.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant is not eligible for any other awards in addition to those already verified and added to his DD Form 214.  None of the units to which he was assigned earned any unit award (Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation).  DPPPR states that the applicant is not eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal, even if it would be awarded for one year’s service in a combat zone, because he received an Article 15 in Vietnam.  DPPPR recommends denial for award of the Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation and the Combat Readiness Medal.  The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

The Board staff contacted AFPC/DPPPR concerning the comment that the applicant received an Article 15 in Vietnam.  They indicated that if the applicant’s record did not contain evidence of an Article 15 while serving in Vietnam, their assessment was in error.
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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states that he is not aware of receiving an Article 15 while in Vietnam.  However, he did receive an Article 15 in 1963 while at --- AFB -- for insubordination.   Applicant’s letter is at Exhibit E. 
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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting partial relief with respect to the request for the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).  In reviewing the applicant’s overall record, it appears that, with the exception of the Article 15 he received while at --- AFB --, there are no other documented Article 15’s in his record.  After thoroughly reviewing the criteria for awarding the AFGCM, we believe the applicant meets the requirements for award of the AFGCM for a one-year period of service in a combat zone.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to show he was awarded the AFGCM upon his return from Vietnam, 28 February 1965.   

4.  In regard to the applicant’s request that he be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation and the Combat Readiness Medal, we note that on 1 July 2003, he was advised by the Air Force Personnel Center that a correction to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was accomplished to reflect the award of the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.  Therefore, action by this Board on this request is not required.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 28 February 1965, he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-00826 in Executive Session on 9 October 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
		     Member
			Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered for AFBCMR Docket Number 03-00454:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 17 Mar 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 5 Jun 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jul 03.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, undated.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-00454

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 28 February 1965, he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency